Frisco TX vs Salinas CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Frisco, TX
Texas · Population: 53,348
- Median HH Income$57,216
- Median Home Price$663,246
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Frisco
53,348
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Frisco
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Frisco
40.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Frisco
12.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Frisco
61.4%
Frisco +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Frisco
14.6%
Frisco +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Frisco
2.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Frisco
29.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Frisco
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,348 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 61.4% | 21.8% | Frisco + |
| Black | 14.6% | 1.4% | Frisco + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 29.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Frisco
$57,216
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Frisco
$39,883
Frisco +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Frisco
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Frisco
6.7%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Frisco
19.9%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Frisco
33.7%
Frisco +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,216 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,883 | $28,813 | Frisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 15.5% | Frisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Frisco
$663,246
Frisco +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Frisco
46.7%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $663,246 | $751,711 | Frisco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Frisco
442
Frisco +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Frisco
2339
Frisco +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Frisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Frisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Frisco
30.0%
Frisco +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.5%
Frisco +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Frisco
13.9%
Frisco +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Frisco
17.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Frisco
8.0%
Frisco +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 32.8% | Frisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.4% | Frisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 18.2% | Frisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 22.4% | Frisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.9% | Frisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Frisco
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Frisco
41.2 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.2 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Frisco
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Frisco
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Frisco
22.8 min
Frisco +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Frisco, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 28.8 min | Frisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while frisco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $663,246. On public safety, Frisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Frisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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